Keepin' Simple from Generation to Generation:

Updated on October 4, 2008

Regarding these Simple Pearls of Wisdom

From Generation to Generation words of advice, ideas and simple ways to live have been passed down to one generation to the next. Though this age and time are a bit "complex" (truthfully each generation feels the same way) these simple bits of wisdom still "hold water" today. If we could live by these simple ideas the outside world would feel less crushing upon us.

20 simple words of wisdom...

Passed down from generation to generation. Now passed along to you.

Have 100 friends, not 100 Dollars:

No amount of money can ever match the value of relationships. This simple concept is many times overlooked in many modern day market economy societies which hold the value of a dollar in higher regards than friendship. Money does not have allegiances when you are in times of need, but true friends will always be there.

Know the 3 stages of wisdom:

Stage 1: You know everything

Stage 2: You know what you don't know.

Stage 3: You know that you don't know anything.

A Simple Question Can Reveal a True Friend:

You can determine whether or not you have a true friend in your life by answering one question:

Would you go to war with them?

In other words, do you trust completely that he or she would risk their own life to save yours if you were on the frontlines together? It may seem silly, but you will not be able to deny that you are not sure about how to answer this question for some people.

Act on your Instincts:

If you find yourself incessantly milling over decisions frequently, take a moment to remember how you felt about it during the first few seconds. Your natural gut reaction to situations is designed to induce a response from you that will help you overcome obstacles in order to restore order....try acting on these impulses once in awhile and you may be pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Usually, even if you act on instinct and you don't get the result that you wished, the resulting regret (If there is any) will be much less than that if you had never acted in the first place because you will know that you expressed how you really felt about it.

Try Making a Sacrifice:

Sacrifice something in your life that you believe to be a bad habit and imagine it being replaced with something you want (Something intangible like a deep desire)...it will come if you want it bad enough. Set yourself a goal and do not indulge yourself in your bad habit until that goal is achieved. This technique will let you know if you really want whatever it is you think you want.

It's ok to say "I Don't Know":

Nobody expects you to know everything. Many people will actually respect somebody more if they are able to say that they do not fully know the answer to a question, but are then confident enough to give their opinion on the matter.

Never lend your friends money:

... Just give it to them or don't

Tensions that arise between friends as a result of financial issues are never pleasant and may sometimes even strain and break the relationship. There is an easy fix to this though: When you understand that a friend needs money, make a decision to either give them money or not to give them money. This is an old custom that embodies the mentality of European family-oriented societies.

If you don't LOVE it, don't buy it:

If you are indecisive when it comes to making purchases, take a moment to ask yourself if you really LOVE what you are buying. A sale sticker should not force your wallet into submission. You will be surprised by how much time and money this simple self-test will save you.

The first step to health is a small one:

A simple and effective method to start you on a road to good health is to replace one unhealthy food in your regular diet with one healthy food. For example, instead of drinking cola, drink water or juice instead. Instead of eating white bread, try whole wheat instead. Nothing else brings a gradual consistency to your life as baby steps.

Focus on one thing at a time:

A mind can clutter and get bogged down easily when you look at the big picture. If you need to complete a task, just take it one step at a time instead of focusing on the final result. Making short term goals will not only make the task seem less daunting and discouraging from even attempting it, but the decreased stress will make it easier to get it done. For example, if you have to write a research paper, instead of focusing on how much time you have or how many pages you need to write, try just focusing on finishing the first paragraph. You will be amazed at how much faster and stress free the process will be.

Call or text an old friend:

...you never know what may come of it.

Sometimes a simple "hello" can spark an entire new world of possibilities.

Can't say it? Write it down:

Write down how you feel when you can't tell someone face to face. You can do this in a form of a letter directed to that person. This is an excellent way of getting all of your thoughts into one cohesive mass and will actually clarify how you really feel about the matter. Not only will just writing it will make you feel better, but you will also have a better idea of what and how to confront that person when you are ready to do so.

A compliment goes a long way:

All it takes is a few kind words to make someone feel good...even if they don't need cheering up. Just think of the last time you heard someone say something nice to you for no reason. A little effort goes a long way in this case.

Don't be afraid to ask for help:

Nobody expects you to know how to do everything. Asking for help will not only give you an opportunity to possibly learn something new through someone else's experience, but it will make that person feel as if they are important to you. Asking for help is not a sign of vulnerability or weakness, only rationality and kinship. However, don't go nuts asking everyone you know to help you with random tasks...if you can easily do it yourself then do it.

Help someone without expecting anything in return:

This may seem intuitive and natural for many people, but it is not as common in our society as you may think. Many people that have helped someone in some way that think they did it selflessly later become disappointed when the gesture is not returned. If you find yourself looking back on the moment in which you provided aid to someone, it was not really selfless.

Chivalry is not dead:

Women still appreciate even the simplest gestures of respect like opening a car door and showing up with flowers.

Start the day right:

Start each day by thinking of what you are thankful for.

This is an amazing and simple way to start your day off right. Right before you get out of bed just go through a top 5 list of the things that make you most happy in life. Even if you are going through a rough time, you will always have something that you are grateful for...and you may not even know it.

When you look good you feel good:

Take care of your appearance. There is a reason why people like to dress up once in awhile. When you look good your confidence level skyrockets. High confidence leads to a healthier and happier lifestyle and all it takes is a quick wardrobe change.

Learn how to cook one meal exceptionally well and make it "your specialty" dish:

Find a recipe of one of your favorite foods or make one up yourself. Serve this dish whenever you have company over or just for yourself. Eventually you will become a pro and people will beg you to make them your specialty dish! This is great for a dinner date with that new special someone or just a way to have another thing that makes you unique.

Sometimes people who need someone to talk to really just need someone to listen:

When a friend needs to vent or talk about something important, do not feel obligated to give them advice. Sometimes just listening and being a part of their issue is more than enough to make them feel as if they are not alone. Don't put in your two cents just because you feel you are obligated to, if they need advice they will probably ask for it.

"the Story Teller"

Cowboy Wisdom by Author Unknown

I thought I would also share these little pearls of wisdom. For these words of wisdom did fit the criteria as well.

Cowboy Wisdom:

Don't name a pig you plan to eat.

Country fences need to be horse high, pig tight, and bull strong.

Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.

Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.

Life is simpler when you plough around the stump.

A bumble bee is faster than a John Deere tractor.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered, not yelled.

Meanness don't happen overnight.

Forgive your enemies. It messes with their heads.

Don't sell your mule to buy a plough.

Don't corner something meaner than you.

It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

You can't unsay a cruel thing.

Every path has some puddles.

When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

The best sermons are lived, not preached.

Most of the stuff people worry about never happens.

Don't squat with your spurs on.

Don't judge people by their relatives.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

Don't interfere with something that ain't botherin' you none.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

It's better to be a has-been than a never-was.

The easiest way to eat crow is while it's still warm. The colder it gets, the harder it is to swaller.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

If it don't seem like it's worth the effort, it probably ain't.

It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.

Sometimes you get and sometimes you get got.

The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with watches you shave his face in the mirror every morning.

If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

Don't worry about bitin' off more'n you can chew; your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger'n you think.

Only cows know why they stampede.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there with ya.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

You can't tell how good a man or a watermelon is 'till they get thumped.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

"Riding off into the Sunset"

Tony Robbins - inspirational words of wisdom

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